Liverpool face crunch Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland decision amid Jamie Carragher worry

Liverpool v Man City: Match in pictures

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Liverpool had an unexpectedly quiet transfer window. With both Manchester clubs and Chelsea all making marquee signings, the Reds instead signed centre back Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig early in the summer and chose to spend the rest of their time sorting contract extensions for their most important assets. Well, all bar Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian is out of contract at Anfield in 2023 and he is yet to extend his deal due to a reported disagreement over wages, with the player demanding a pay rise.

Salah is reportedly keen to stay at Liverpool but is becoming frustrated with how complicated the negotiations have become compared to bumper deals elsewhere that have appeared smooth sailing.

If the difference in opinion continues in Merseyside then it would be no surprise to see the winger, who recently entered the club’s top ten all-time goalscorers list, depart.

Club legend Jamie Carragher attempted to shed some light on the situation last weekend during Sky Sports’ coverage of the Liverpool versus Manchester City match, he said: “Liverpool cannot afford to let his contract situation drag on, with the threat they could lose him in the next two years.

JUST IN: Liverpool urged to beat Man City to Erling Haaland as transfer makes champions ‘unbeatable’

“I know the situation Liverpool are in. They don’t have the finances of Manchester City. But right now, Salah is playing as well as anyone in the world.

“He is one of the greatest goalscorers this club has ever seen, and it’s imperative that at his peak he’s still scoring goals in the red shirt of Liverpool.”

Carragher’s comments will have certainly concerned the Reds’ faithful, but there could be a silver lining to the saga.

It is well reported that Liverpool are amongst a whole host of clubs keen to secure the signature of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, so selling Salah, if negotiations end sourly, could fund the deal.

DON’T MISS

Erling Haaland risks making Robert Lewandowski ‘angry’
Ronaldo joined Man Utd while Woodward was sat in Lineker’s garden
Man Utd given two players to sign by Crouch to become Prem winners

The Norwegian is thought to have a £68million release clause in his contract that will become active in the summer of 2022, but it is unknown whether he will remain at Signal Iduna Park long enough to see if that is the case.

At just 21, Haaland already has an unbelievable goalscoring record. He has scored 47 goals in 48 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund and has been equally as impressive on the European stage too, with 21 goals in 17 Champions League appearances.

Reds centre back Virgil van Dijk has recalled opposing with the former RB Salzburg striker on Sky Sports in a conversation that will excite Liverpool fans, he said: “Haaland is a special striker because he’s so strong, he’s quick, he’s got all the attributes to make a defender’s life very difficult.

“The first time [I played him] was when he came on at Anfield. He was at Salzburg and he got a tap-in and he scored.

“Obviously in the away game he didn’t. He got subbed after 65 minutes or something but it was a very tough one, he was very quick, aggressive, very direct.”

It is clear to see that van Dijk is a big admirer of Haaland and his comments could entice the exciting prospect to come to Anfield.

However, money could be an issue in the deal. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola has already made it known that signing his client would require potential suitors to pay a basic salary worth £43million per year – which does not include bonuses.

Therefore, Jurgen Klopp has a tough decision to make. On one hand, he could push to keep one of the best players in the world in his team, but on the other, he could wave goodbye to Salah in favour of bringing in a future Ballon d’Or winner. Carragher’s comments certainly suggest that the club are not in a position to make both deals happen so it will be one or the other, it is now a waiting game for Liverpool fans.

Source: Read Full Article